More Brave

My Mom asked if Haley would be interested in singing her song, "Dear Jesus, it's your Birthday" (see link to the right) for the Christmas Eve Church service in Guymon. I thought it was highly unlikely considering she cried at the school Christmas program. However, we got her a little play microphone and she was singing and dancing like a rock star all day Christmas Eve. We went up to the church for a trial run that morning and it was terrible. She wouldn't even hardly stand on the stage. Oh well. It was worth a shot.

That evening, there were a few other children sharing a song or piano piece and it came time for Haley to go up and she insisted that she was ready to sing. I was skeptical as we ascending the stairs on the stage. I went with her holding her hand and sitting beside her as she stood on the top step. I started to sing and she just looked at me. I whispered, "If you don't want to sing, it is ok we will just go sit down." Well, she wasn't going to sit. She was going to sing. She grabbed the mic (which unfortunately wasn't working) and sang her sweet little song about Jesus' Birthday.

As we were driving home I asked her how she found the courage to go up on stage in front of everyone and sing and she said without hesitating, "God sent me more brave...a NEW brave!"

Isn't that what we all need sometimes, a little more brave. More brave to love others, more brave to step out and share our lives with those in need, more brave to follow God's will or more brave to just be who God created us to be.

That's my prayer for the New Year... that God would give me a New brave like He did for Haley to step out and be radical for Him!

(The picture is Haley after the service at home leaving a cookie out for Santa with a note she wrote herself: That night she prayed, "Thank you God for this wonderful day and thank you for the birth of Jesus at Christmas. AND, please help Santa have a safe trip as he delivers all the presents. Amen.")

Santa on his way

Tonight as Haley prayed, she finished by saying, "And dear Lord, please don't let any presents fall out of Santa's sleigh on his way to Oklahoma!" She said it with complete reverence and sincerity. So sweet. The beauty of belief!

Not too late for leaves

I know, it looks like it is just now fall in Texas. Here we are in December taking leaf pictures but it just takes a while for them to fall off the trees in Texas. The kids were having so much fun playing in the leaves we didn't have the heart to tell them all it was really naptime. Who needs sleep when you have fun friends!

Little Helper

Evan LOVES tools and loves to help his daddy with any project. Sometimes, it is just too dangerous or too difficult a task to let Evan help. Yesterday, Jed was working on the installation of our new flat screen tv when Evan started whining for Jed to pick him up so he could see what Jed was doing above the mantel. (When we moved into the house the only request Jed made was that he could have a flat screen tv above the fireplace. In exchange I got to pick out the house we purchased so it turned out to be a good deal. Unfortunately for him, we put a dollar amount limit on how much we could spend on the tv and put the money in savings and he waited a year for the tv he wanted to drop in price enough to fit the budget.)

So, Evan started to get really frustrated because I was cooking dinner and Jed wouldn't hold him up to watch the tv installation and he headed out the room whining. The next thing I know, Evan is dragging the stepstool from Haley's bedroom through the kitchen. I just laughed and shook my head thinking why is he dragging that thing through the house. Weird. I just went on cooking. Then, I looked up and he had drug it all the way over into the family room and sat it down on the floor next to Jed and hopped up on it as if it would make him tall enough to help his daddy. It was sooooo precious!!! What a little problem solver. It is so sweet to see him trying to be involved with his dad's work. Dad loves it too!

Oh, and here is a picture of the tv installed. Our sweet engineer neighbor, Josh, spent 3 hours helping Jed hang it. We just have wires to deal with and then we are ready to host some football bowl game parties!

Dress Up Girls

Are you seeing double? Maybe. These sweet Cinderellas are playing, baking and having a great morning together!

Christmas Dress

I couldn't resist posting this sweet little Christmas dress photo. Haley wore it to the Church Lessons and Carols program and managed to sit QUIETLY through an hour and a half program of songs. WOW!

The Boys

Despite his runny nose and cough, Evan enjoyed the Christmas program on Dad's lap. I tell you what, they are two peas in a pod. Well, except for the crazy loud talking and screaming Evan insists on pursuing every day.

Santa

We finally went to visit Santa at the mall today. Haley was so excited. I asked Evan if he wanted to see Santa and he said, "no". So, Haley sat on Santa's lap alone this year. She didn't mind at all. She hopped right up in his lap and he told her he could tell she was a very sweet and very good little girl. Thankfully for me, when he asked her what she wanted for Christmas she said, "a magic wand". She has been keeping this long list for months with all these big gifts like a bicycle, dolls, etc and all she could come up with was magic wand. You never know what she'll say these days but I think we are off the hook for anything fancy and big this Christmas.

Since Evan is a little scared of Santa, he did enjoy the Polar Express exhibit that they had at the mall. He was climbing all over the display and I had to strap him into his stroller screaming to get him to leave things alone.

Pitiful Christmas Program

The program at Haley's Preschool was actually precious. It was only our sick little Haley that was quite pitiful. On Tuesday I picked Haley up from school and they told me it would be a minute before they brought her to the car because she was throwing up in the hall. Nice.

My mom was in town to see her school program on Thursday so we had a little more than 36 hours to try to get her in ship shape. No such luck. We spent a good 36 hours still getting sick and only a few hours the day of the program under our belts with her well. She wanted to try to attend the program so we went. She even said she felt up to walking up with her class to the stage to sing. Not so good. The poor girl had been in bed for 2 days straight and only eaten a minimal amount of food in the last 48 hours. By the end of the song her eyes welled up with tears and the teacher had to lift her off the risers and carry her out. Oh well. At least we got it out of our system before the holiday.

Taking care of sick kids has to be the hardest part of having young kids that I couldn't imagine until it happened to me. It has been a long fall of illness at our house and I am really looking forward to some snot free, cough free, tummy bug free days!

Flower Girl

Today Haley was the flower girl for our dear friends Clint and Kim's wedding. It was precious! She threw petals happily down the long aisle at Christ Church. It helped to have Mom, Dad and G-Daddy standing at the alter rail encouraging her as she walked. She was really sweet and I was so thrilled that even during nap time she was able to hold it together and walk down the aisle with a happy face. YEAH! And, it was amazing to be a part of such a wonderful union between two sweet friends. Clint is finally married and has a beautiful wife and precious new 4 year old son. Praise the Lord:)

Christmas PJs

Nothing cuter than Christmas pj's. I love the kids' matching jammies this year with sweet little snowflakes. Luckily for them they don't make a ton of matching brother sister outfits or I might not be able to resist!

Thanksgiving

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving in Plano with Jed's family. Taye, Tray, Moses, Milan, Daniel, Lizzy and Jed's parents were all around for 4 days. It was great. We had a wonderful celebration and it is so fun to see Moses and Haley really playing and enjoying each other so much this year. I can't believe what a difference a year has made. Haley better enjoy it all while she is still able to "suggest" most of the activities and encourage Moses to do about anything she dreams up. Today they both had wrapping paper cardboard rolls up to their eye and were on a safarri in the living room. Those baby monsters they found were just precious! We are looking forward to years of play to come!

Travel Aftermath

When you are out of town and return home, it just takes a while to get things back in order. Well, when you come home to two kids with colds and a missed night of sleep, it is even more difficult to get things back in order. Urg.

Now, I have the cold and am trying to muscle through this week praying for healing so we can enjoy Thanksgiving Day. Miracles do happen, right? Either way, we are going to have a great visit with Jed's family:)

Today I was out at the park with our friends the Lawsons and got some great pictures. It finally feels like fall and if we could stay well long enough to enjoy it we would be at the park every day.

Maui Waterfalls

Today after Jed's talks we headed out to look for some hidden waterfalls. We felt like Indiana Jones hiking through crazy thick brush and holding onto vines as we scaled the hills nearing the falls. A friend told us about this second secret hidden falls, but we misunderstood where the trail was. After we survived the hike to the beautiful second falls, we saw a much easier trail heading back. We knew we would have made our friend and adventurer, David Glade proud!

Vacation in Maui

Jed is speaking this week to a group of Missionary Students at a Discipleship Training School for Youth with A Mission (YWAM) in Hawaii. YWAM is the ministry that helped Jed find direction for his life when he was 18 years old, so it is an honor and privilege to be invited back to speak to these students about the identity of Jesus and our indentity in Him. Our friends Will and Amanda are the base leaders and we have know them since they were in jr. high so it is even more exciting to be a part of their mission here.

We'll be spending the week at the YWAM base then off to see a friend on the other side of the island at the end of the week.

What a blessing to be able to come and support Jed as he pours out his heart for Christ to these students. Not to mention, I haven't had a kid-free vacation in years!

Raised from the dead

A funny story to make you laugh...

I picked up Haley from Sunday School to come take communion in the sanctuary and she was showing me a wooden Lazarus which she glued clothes on "all by herself". I guess it ended up behind me in the pew and when we stood up to go forward for communion the big wooden Lazarus was GLUED to my behind. The girl behind me ripped it off and it left lots of construction paper and glue behind on my pants.

Seriously now, I don't think that is how Jesus intended to raise him from the dead.

I did spend the rest of the service trying to pick his clothes off my pants with no luck and had to just head home with stuff all over my behind.

Go Raiders

We beat the #1 Ranked UT today in the last 8 seconds of the game. I am sure it was because my kids were dressed in their Raider best all day to cheer them on. I got some really cute pics of Evan as he would shut the door on my and I would push it back open. He thought that was so funny and I could snap a picture before he shut me out again. So cute.

Happy Halloween

The kids were dressed as Snow White and her Prince and it was so precious. I had to make Evan's little costume and it turned out so funny. He looked adorable in his red tights, boots and cape. I can't believe he wore it all night. I was sure he would be ripping the cape off within minutes.

Haley LOVED being dressed up as Snow White since she thinks she really is a princess. And she is, isn't she?:) She was the one who insisted that Evan be her prince and who can argue with a big sister who actually wants to be seen with her little brother.

They really were so cute and even though neither of my children will ever have the same dark hair as Snow White and her Prince, they were the sweetest blond Prince and Princess ever!

Tons of Tent Fun

Apparently you still can't go wrong on a cold day if you build a tent over the furniture. Haley and Evan are going crazy having a blast playing TOGETHER in the tent!

Beautiful Day

What a beautiful day. It isn't quite cool enough for fall, but it is sure wonderful to be outside. We enjoyed a fun morning playing in the front yard then walking to the park with Gigi. Haley and Evan both fight for Gigi's attention. I can't say that I'm terribly sad to see them fighting over someone other than me. It is kinda nice actually. I got to sit and swing while Gigi did all the work...not because I didn't want to help but because no one would let me near them if Gigi was there! Yippee for me:) Who could blame them. Gigi is TONS of fun!

And look at those pictures. You'd think that the kids really like each other. It isn't all a lie. Right before Evan tried to bite her they were having tons of fun. Happy one minute and mad the next. Isn't that how we all are. As long as no one steals our toys or hurts us, life isn't so bad.

Oh, and I don't know what exactly happened to his head. It could be from any number of falls or it could even be from him standing on his head or beating it on the door frame. Who knows:)

Jed's Birthday

Today was Jed's Birthday and as adults, life doesn't stop for you to celebrate anymore. Jed headed off to church early, but not as early as Evan and I. We ran to the store then stopped and picked up a tall Americana with Creme at Starbucks before heading home at 7:30. I think Jed did have a few small moments of quiet today and we enjoyed a nice steak dinner at his parent's house. And, for Jed, there is nothing better than steak:)

So here's to a great 32 years. We praise God for the loving husband, amazing dad, humble pastor, faithful friend and awesome example that Jed is to all of us. I can't imagine my life without him and praise God every day for the joy, love and support that he gives me in my life. What a true gift he is!

Oh, and just in case Jed wasn't feeling older, when Gigi brought the cake out with candles Haley said, "Don't put it by me, I don't want to get hurt!" There was a lot of fire on that cake:)

Miss-matched Little Miss

As if sparkles weren't bad enough, Haley has moved full steam ahead into dressing herself. Crazy outfits are a daily occurrence now. I always noticed those kids at the store who were totally mismatched even though their parents looked fairly put together. Well, I know what it is like to be on the receiving end of those smiles and nods. In fact, today as Haley was walking into church we were receiving quite a few of those and we had really made some good negotiations this morning. The only thing I couldn't pry off of her were her purple sunglasses and sparkle shoes. (the first pic is what she wanted to wear...we traded the bunny glasses for small purple ones and lost the crown)

If it was up to Haley, she would wear a Disney princess t-shirt and skirt or what she affectionately refers to as "snuggle pants" (anything knit and stretchy) everyday. Thanks to her Bebe, not only does she have a nice Disney collection of t-shirts to choose from, one of them even lights up. And in her book, you sure can't beat that. And hey, all the better to match her light up Disney princess light up Velcro sneakers.

If we didn't have so many other ADORABLE clothes from Bebe, Gigi, Mrs. Fran and others, I really wouldn't mind wearing the same 4 shirts over and over. It just makes me sad to see all the other precious things hanging there not being used.

I think we are going to have to compromise and come up with a system to wear both. The best thing in my favor is the weather. As it gets cold, the t-shirts aren't so appealing:)

Good thing she looks cute in whatever she wears and her smile surely distracts from the mismatched clothes.

Sparkle Bear

Ok, she is officially all sparkles. Today I picked out an outfit for church and Haley announced that she wasn't going to wear it. It was a cute chocolate and white polka dot top with leggings. She insisted that it wouldn't match her sparkle shoes. Indeed she was right. The sparkle shoes are REALLY hard to match fusia color. Urg.

So, she pulled out a purple jumper COVERED in sparkles and insisted that since it had sparkles too, it was a match. Not exactly. Of well. We did happen to have some tights that had both colors of purple in them to pull the outfit together. She did at least remember that she got blisters the last time she wore the sparkle shoes so we are only wearing them with tight. Man she has a strong opinion and fashion sense!

PS- Here is a picture of her bed with newly painted white frame. Artwork on the wall is next.

Pink Puppy

Who is that cute pink puppy? Haley had her face painted at the Neighborhood Night Out Party tonight. She asked to be a pink puppy. The sweet face paint lady agreed and Haley was transformed. The funniest part was that Haley didn't really know what she looked like, but everyone else was doing a double-take when she walked by. Our little friend Ella was TERRIFIED of Haley. Each time Haley would try to make a happy face and encourage Ella that it was just her, it almost made it worse because the "dog's face" would become more distorted and odd. It was hysterical!

Pumpkins patch

We headed out to a great Pumpkin Patch in Flower Mound on Friday. The kids had a blast, Evan enjoyed his first bounce house, Haley slid down giant slides, we shared snow cones (and possibly colds), hay mazes, and enjoyed hay rides and wagon rides through the pumpkins patch. Only a fall breeze could have made the morning better.